VOA标准英语2012--Greeks Weigh Austerity, Discontent Ahead of May 6 Elections

Greeks Weigh Austerity, Discontent Ahead of May 6 Elections

 

After two, huge financial bailouts in the past three years, the reputation of the two main traditional parties in Greece - the Socialists² and the Conservatives - has suffered. Greek voters are heading into a general election Sunday wondering whether mainstream³ politics and politicians are still relevant.

Sunny Rethimno harbor, located on the northern coast of Crete features a sapphire-blue sea on one side and snow-capped mountains on the other. It is just a few days before the start of the tourist season. Bars and restaurants are starting to fill up. Locals say they have weathered Greece's austerity plans better than in the capital, Athens.

Tourism 

Last year’s tourist season was good because of protests in North Africa deterring⁴ travel there. But this year is not so good. Residents say German tourists are wary⁵ of being insulted, and American tourists are scared of being caught in a riot. 

One hotel manager said he thought this summer would be “catastrophic.” 

Voter discontent 

Many Greeks blame the two main parties for the corruption⁶ and mismanagement that have put Greece in its present bind⁷. The parties are expected to lose half their seats. 

The Socialist¹ deputy mayor of Rethimno, Pepi Birliraki, says Greek voters have a right to be edgy⁸.

"I am afraid we made a lot of mistakes," said Birliraki. "Nevertheless, I believe that we can overcome it. I know that we are just starting to learn from our mistakes. And I do know that we do have the force and the power to be stronger, wiser.”

Many young Greeks feel betrayed by the older generation. 

Take Sifis Mamalakis and Stelios Stavridakis are two restaurant-owners in the town. Mamalakis is not going to vote. He has lost trust in the main parties.

"I think that showing the government that the majority of people is not going to vote means something," said Mamalakis. "I believe it is much bigger than going to vote for the small parties.”

Who to vote for 

Stavridakis is equally frustrated⁹ with politicians from his parents' generation, but, unlike Mamalakis, he says he will vote for one of the smaller parties.

"Abstaining¹⁰ or not going to vote does not solve the problem," said Stavridakis. "You are part of the problem so you have to go to vote, in my opinion. If you do not vote, a big percentage will go to the two big parties that are first.”

Sunday’s election will radically¹¹ change the makeup¹² of Greek politics. The big traditional parties will be weaker. 

The more than 10 smaller parties that will gain seats are against austerity imposed by the European Union. Many want out of the eurozone. If their presence in parliament is big enough, they might one day get their way. The consequences of that are unknown, but even now, Greeks are looking into an uncertain future. 

1 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

2 socialists   

社会主义者( socialist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The socialists saw themselves as true heirs of the Enlightenment. 社会主义者认为自己是启蒙运动的真正继承者。
• The Socialists junked dogma when they came to office in 1982. 社会党人1982年上台执政后，就把其政治信条弃之不顾。

3 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

4 deterring   

v.阻止，制止( deter的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• However, investors say are a number of issues deterring business. 然而，投资者表示，有很多问题让他们却步。 来自互联网
• It's an effective way of deterring potential does online, the logic goes. 逻辑上这是抑制潜在线上威胁的有效方法。 来自互联网

5 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

6 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

7 bind   

vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬

参考例句：

• I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you.我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
• He wants a shirt that does not bind him.他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。

8 edgy   

adj.不安的；易怒的

参考例句：

• She's been a bit edgy lately,waiting for the exam results.她正在等待考试结果，所以最近有些焦躁不安。
• He was nervous and edgy, still chain-smoking.他紧张不安，还在一根接一根地抽着烟。

9 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 abstaining   

戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的现在分词 )； 弃权（不投票）

参考例句：

• Abstaining from killing, from taking what is not given, & from illicIt'sex. 诸比丘！远离杀生，远离不与取，于爱欲远离邪行。
• Abstaining from arguments was also linked to an unusual daily cortisol pattern. 压抑争吵也造成每日异常的皮质醇波动。

11 radically   

ad.根本地，本质地

参考例句：

• I think we may have to rethink our policies fairly radically. 我认为我们可能要对我们的政策进行根本的反思。
• The health service must be radically reformed. 公共医疗卫生服务必须进行彻底改革。

12 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？